The "Essentials of Comparative Politics" family-- including a core textbook, reader, and casebook of country studies--is the most comprehensive, flexible, and affordable package for introductory courses. For this Second Edition, each book has been revised to best complement the others and updated to reflect recent developments. This collection of readings provides an introduction to the classic works and contemporary ideas in comparative politics--and shows how they fit together into a larger understanding of the field. From Weber's conception of the state to Marx's prescription for a Communist utopia, the text offers a foundation in the traditional literature on key political concepts. And just as important, readers will also find divergent, often opposing, recent perspectives on these topics.